In this lesson, we will focus on the some conversational language used to start and end conversations with someone that is visiting your company.

A conversation is an interactive communication between two or more people where an informal exchange of ideas is expressed by spoken words. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization.

When welcoming and greeting visitors / guests /customers in a business environment, you want to create a good impression that will have a long lasting impact. Visitors come into a business environment for various reasons; they could be customers (existing or new), representatives, suppliers, business partners, people from different departments / areas / organizations, and so on.

When you meet someone for a business meeting it is standard to make light or casual conversation beforehand. This light or casual conversation is called small talk.

Before getting down to business with your visitor / guest, you should start slowly by making some small talk to show interest in your visitor/guest and make them feel comfortable.

By following the steps below, you will see that welcoming a visitor or guest and saying goodbye to a visitor or guest can be a very simple process if you have the appropriate language for this conversational situation.

Starting and Ending Conversations

The Situation:

First meetings – Welcoming a visitor or guest

H = The Host

The Place:

at a company

V = The Visitor / Guest

Welcoming a Visitor / Guest

1.

H:

Are you THEIR NAME? or You must be THEIR NAME.

2.

V:

Yes, I am. or Yes, that’s right.

3.

H:

Welcome to [Company Name].

4.

V:

Thank you. It’s nice to be here.

5.

H:

My name is YOUR NAME. or I’m YOUR NAME.

6.

H:

It’s nice/good/a pleasure to meet you, THEIR NAME.

7.

V:

It’s nice/good/a pleasure to meet you, too, THEIR NAME.

8.

H:

Questions for Small Talk: How was your trip / flight?

Is this your first time to Bangkok? So, how long are you here for?

Did you have any problems finding us?

Where are you staying? And how is it? Is it comfortable?

What time did you arrive last night? And will you have time to look around Bangkok while you’re here?